From The White House to Hollywood: Obamas Settle on Higher Ground

When Barack and Michelle Obama stepped away from the White House in 2017, few imagined that their next act would be on screens across the world.

Barack and Michelle Obama are redefining post-presidency life — not from behind a podium, but behind the camera. (Photo: Barack Obama Facebook)

Yet, through their media company Higher Ground Productions, the former President and First Lady have emerged as quiet powerhouses in a different arena — one where cultural impact can be just as influential as legislation.

Founded in 2018, Higher Ground has become more than a passion project. It is a mission-driven production house that aims to inform, uplift, and stir social consciousness, a natural extension of the Obamas’ lifelong commitment to public service.

In Waffles + Mochi, Michelle Obama joins a pair of lovable puppets to take children on a global culinary adventure — promoting healthy eating, cultural appreciation, and curiosity. (Image: Netflix)

And it is doing so at scale, backed by a multi-year, first-look deal with Netflix that puts them at the center of global entertainment.

“Storytelling helps us see each other,” Michelle Obama once said. And that belief is palpable in every project Higher Ground touches.

American Stories, Global Impact

Higher Ground’s debut project, American Factory, a documentary chronicling the cultural clash between Chinese management and American workers in an Ohio auto plant, didn’t just win an Oscar — it signaled the arrival of a media brand with gravitas.

That was followed by Becoming, a behind-the-scenes chronicle of Michelle’s book tour, and Crip Camp, a heart-wrenching look at the disability rights movement, both of which cemented the Obamas’ growing reputation as champions of untold stories.

But they weren’t content to stop at documentaries. From Waffles + Mochi, a quirky children’s show promoting healthy eating (with Michelle herself as host), to the eerie dystopian drama Leave the World Behind, the couple has shown they’re willing to experiment — so long as the content resonates with purpose.

Higher Ground’s 2023 psychological thriller Leave the World Behind, starring Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, marked a bold foray into fictional drama, blending star power with themes of societal collapse and uncertainty. (Image: Netflix)

Their slate is now brimming with ambitious projects: a biopic of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, a potential dramatization of Tiger Woods’ life, the sports docuseries Court of Gold capturing Olympic basketball’s behind-the-scenes drama, and even a sci-fi story based on America’s most famous alien abduction.

What links these seemingly disparate narratives? A commitment to empathy, inclusion, and storytelling that stirs civic awareness.

Private Life, Public Mission

Off-camera, the Obamas are navigating post-presidency life with a rhythm that blends the personal with the purposeful.

Residing in the leafy Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C., they’ve remained close to political discourse, often weighing in on issues such as climate change, voting rights, and rising authoritarianism.

Barack Obama has sharpened his public rhetoric in recent years, warning that the U.S. is “dangerously close” to autocracy. While careful not to name names, his call to defend democratic norms speaks directly to rising political tensions under Trump. (Photo: Barack Obama Facebook)

Barack Obama’s recent rebukes of Donald Trump — though often indirect — have grown sharper, warning that American democracy is on a knife’s edge. But they’re also relishing a more grounded existence.

Michelle writes, advocates for girls' education, and speaks candidly about “adulting” with daughters Sasha and Malia.

The couple recently retraced their honeymoon road trip to celebrate 30 years of marriage. That mix of intimacy and impact is now a defining feature of the Obama brand.

The Obama Foundation and the forthcoming Obama Presidential Center in Chicago remain key vehicles for their civic outreach. But it’s through Higher Ground that they’re tapping into a deeper current of influence — cultural leadership.

Higher Ground, Higher Stakes

In today’s fractured media ecosystem, where outrage often drowns out nuance, the Obamas’ approach is refreshingly earnest. They aren’t chasing trends or viral clicks.

They’re playing the long game: investing in narrative power that can shape public imagination, create dialogue, and — perhaps most critically — restore a sense of shared humanity.

A lifelong basketball fan, Barack Obama now brings his passion for the game to the screen, through Starting 5 and Court of Gold. (Photo: White House/Pete Souza)

That’s no easy feat in an age of division. Yet, by surrounding themselves with talented creatives and promoting first-time filmmakers, the Obamas are betting on new voices to carry forward their vision.

Their latest move? Appointing Anikah McLaren as Head of Film in 2024—a seasoned producer whose credits include Shirley (Netflix), Judas and the Black Messiah, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Bourne Legacy, and The Old Man and the Gun. The hire signals Higher Ground’s ambition to scale up its slate of scripted content.

With productions like Hello Beautiful, Starting 5 (Season 2), and Our Oceans (narrated by Barack himself) lined up for 2025, the company is expanding its repertoire without diluting its soul.

Redefining Power

The Obamas no longer hold office. But they still hold sway. Their transition from policymaking to media-making reflects a broader understanding of how influence works today.

In a world overwhelmed by misinformation and short attention spans, the most effective way to plant an idea isn’t always through a speech. Sometimes, it’s through a documentary. Or a biopic. Or a children’s puppet named Mochi.

Higher Ground may not carry the weight of an executive order, but its stories — unfolding on laptops, phones, and living room TVs — are shaping conversations across generations.

That’s no accident. It’s a strategy. And it’s working.

In an era where intelligent discourse is fading and outrage is currency; the Obamas have chosen a different path. Through stories that dignify, challenge, and connect, they’re proving that post-presidency doesn’t have to mean post-purpose.

In fact, it may be just the beginning.